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August 2023: What are you reading?

Vintage81

By Vintage81,
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Vintage81

Vintage81

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4 minutes ago, Kassia said:

Everyone I know loved this, but I hated it.  I'm so picky with fiction, though.  Glad you enjoyed it!   

Ha! That's usually me in my book club...everyone will really like the book we're reading and I'll be the one who doesn't. 🤣

Just curious...what in particular did you not like about this book? Was it just too much of a stretch...the whole octopus thing? Or just too perfect of an ending?

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GailV

GailV

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1 hour ago, Vintage81 said:

Was it just too much of a stretch...the whole octopus thing? Or just too perfect of an ending?

I can't tell you how intriguing this is. I feel like I need to read the book just to figure out what "the whole octopus thing" means. 🤣

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Quarter Note

Quarter Note

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Hi, reading friends!  I love learning what all the rest of you are reading.  It's inspiring!

I had an ambitious list of books to tackle this summer, but one (recommended by @Jean in Newcastle on the Education board a while ago) went right to the top:

Linnets and Valerians, by Elizabeth Goudge.  (The first book I've ever read by her!)

It was an easy, comforting children's book, with the kind of setting loved by classical homeschool moms:  Four siblings go out to the English countryside, meet an eccentric old man, have adventures, and end up with changed lives.  That eccentric old man is a retired classics teacher, with pets named after characters from the Greek epics.  It felt very much to me like, "The Pevensie kids get a classical education but don't get to go to Narnia".  There was magic that creeped into the book so slowly that for a while I wasn't sure if it was a "magical" book or not, until it obviously was.

I wish I'd done it as a read-aloud when my kids were younger, but it was a nice, gentle read for me now.

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Kareni

Kareni

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I read two more books.

Beyond the Next Star by Melody Johnson was a science fiction romance. When the story begins, it's been five years since the heroine was abducted from earth. She's now on a planet that loves unusual pets and has just been purchased as a companion animal by a new owner who has PTSD. It was an unusual story. (Adult content)

"An intolerable order. A desperate charade. A deadly secret.... Before Commander Torek Renaar can return to active duty, he’s ordered to purchase an animal companion to help relieve his PTSD symptoms. But having been a caretaker for and lost a loved one, keeping even one little human alive is a challenge he feels doomed to fail. It doesn’t help that his animal companion is the newest, most exotic breed on the market, demanding constant attention, daily grooming, and delicate handling. If she doesn’t die first in his incompetent care, she’ll be the death of him.

After witnessing the murder of her domestication specialist, Delaney McCormick allows her new owner to treat her like the pet he believes her to be. If anyone suspects she’s more intelligent than a golden retriever, her murder would be next. She endures the humiliation of being washed, the tediousness of being trained to “sit” and “come,” and the intrigue of hearing private conversations. But in Torek’s care, she finds something unexpected on this antarctic planet, something she never had in all her years on Earth while house-hopping between foster families: a home.

As companionship grows to love, must Delaney continue the charade, acting like an animal and hiding from the murderer waiting on her misstep? Or can she trust Torek with her secrets, even if the truth threatens everything he holds dear—and both their lives?"
**

I also reread a book I read last week and enjoyed it again ~ Lucky by Gigi DeGraham

(FIC 79, RR 33, NF 8, NS 20, GN 2, PIC 1//)

Regards,

Kareni

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bookbard

bookbard

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On 8/21/2023 at 9:43 AM, Quarter Note said:

Linnets and Valerians, by Elizabeth Goudge.  (The first book I've ever read by her!)

 

This was a definite comfort read when I was a kid, and you MUST go on and read "the little white horse" by her - it's wonderful.

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dirty ethel rackham

dirty ethel rackham

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I just finished listening to Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear.  I needed an audiobook for my commute and it fit the bill.  It's a British police procedural where the main character is investigating a murder that has ties to her childhood.  She grapples with her family relationships torn apart by this past event, with keeping her personal life and professional life separate, and solving this mystery.  This one kept me guessing until the end.  I just found out that it is a series so I may give the other ones a listen.  

@Ottakee, I can't wait to listen to the Long Steep Path.  I'm a big Catherine Ryan Hyde fan and hadn't seen this one.  

This month, I did check out a couple books from the library, but I just can't make myself read unless I'm in bed and that means my Kindle.  Since I have to get at O'dark thirty for work and have sleep anxiety, I have to not read in bed or I will stay up til the wee hours.  

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Faith-manor

Faith-manor

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I just finished "The Heat Will Kill You First". Now I am into a mini-farming book, and have been gratified that my accidental raised bed, quasi but not quite square foot gardening which has produced a bumper crop of veggies, was a good way to do it despite bring slightly unintentional! 😂😂😂

 

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Kareni

Kareni

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I just finished a contemporary romance that I enjoyed ~ Codename Charming by Lucy Parker. It featured a personal assistant and a bodyguard both of whom work for the husband of a princess. It made me laugh a number of times. (FIC 80, RR 33, NF 8, NS 20, GN 2, PIC 1///)

"Petunia De Vere enjoys being the personal assistant to lovable, bumbling Johnny Marchmont. But the job has its share of challenges, including the royal’s giant, intimidating bodyguard, Matthias. Pet and Matthias are polar opposites—she’s spontaneous and enthusiastic, he’s rigid and stoic—but she can sense there’s something softer underneath that tough exterior…

For Matthias Vaughn, protecting others is the name of the game. But keeping his royal charge out of trouble is more difficult than he imagined because everywhere Johnny goes, calamity ensues, and his petite, bubbly assistant is often caught in the fray. Matthias hates the idea of Pet getting hurt and he’s determined to keep everyone safe, even if it means clashing with his adorable new coworker.

When a clumsy moment leads to a questionable tabloid photo, the press begins to speculate that Pet is romantically involved with Johnny. To put an end to the rumors, the royal PR team asks Pet and Matthias to stage a fake relationship and the two reluctantly agree. But as they spend more time together outside of work, they begin to wonder what real emotions this pretend connection might uncover. Especially when a passionate kiss leaves both of their heads spinning…"

Regards,

Kareni

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KrissiK

KrissiK

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On 8/20/2023 at 11:54 AM, Kassia said:

Everyone I know loved this, but I hated it.  I'm so picky with fiction, though.  Glad you enjoyed it!   

I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. There was something about it that reminded me of other books a lot of people loved, but I either didn’t love, or downright hated. I’m trying to put my finger on what that quality is. My IRL BFF recommended it to me and while I love my BFF, we do have different tastes in books.

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KrissiK

KrissiK

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I have been having trouble reading lately. Too much going on and it’s been hard for me to focus. But what I have been reading is great. “Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates” by Brian Kilmeade is just phenomenal. This is my third book by him this year and I like this one the best. “George Washington’s Secret Six” is a close second. The Alamo book he wrote was ok, but a little too straight up violent and not as much intrigue. The Tripoli Pirates book is full of intrigue and betrayal, daring deeds and men of action.

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marbel

marbel

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1 hour ago, KrissiK said:

I didn’t love it. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. There was something about it that reminded me of other books a lot of people loved, but I either didn’t love, or downright hated. I’m trying to put my finger on what that quality is. My IRL BFF recommended it to me and while I love my BFF, we do have different tastes in books.

I tried at least twice to read this book (Remarkably Bright Creatures) but couldn't get very far.  

And, I have people in my life who book recommendations I take as books I should not bother to try reading. What they rate 4 stars I can't get far into. But, it works well to help me decide what to read (or not to read)!

I'm about 3/4 of the way through Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder by Catherine Lloyd. At this point I'm just trying to finish it to see how this is resolved, but in general the book is driving me nuts with anachronistic language and annoying characters. I'm pretty good at suspending disbelief but some of the things people say and do are just 🤦‍♀️

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GailV

GailV

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Wanted (Legacy of Magic Book #7) 

Cursed (Legacy of Magic Book #8)

Both by Lindsay Buroker. Months ago someone here mentioned her Death Before Dragons  series. I read through all of those whenever I needed something fluffy to read. I discovered the author was writing another series in the same world, featuring the characters from Death Before Dragons as background characters. It turned out to be ... not as much fun. Sort of a slog at times. Whiney. But I persevered. Wanted  was the low point, and took me 2 months to get through. Cursed was way more fun (maybe it had more Val and Zav).

Now the series is over and I'll probably be avoiding this genre for a while.

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Kareni

Kareni

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I just finished an enjoyable contemporary novel, The Book of Silver Linings by Nan Fischer. The book features a young woman who, in researching the history of her engagement ring, learns the story of a World War I couple. She also learns a lot about herself.  (FIC 81, RR 33, NF 8, NS 20, GN 2, PIC 1//)

"Constance Sparks always says yes…when her capricious best friend needs money; when her boss gives her more responsibility without a raise; and when her boyfriend, Hayden, who is very kind but also secretive, asks her to marry him.

While planning their wedding—and struggling with anxiety about the right course for her future—Constance researches the history of her antique engagement ring and unearths the name of a man who might be connected to it, plus his tragic love story. When she finds a book of letters in her library’s old manuscript section written by the long-dead man, Constance is deeply touched by his words and leaves a note for him confessing her uncertainty and doubts. She’s shocked days later to find a response tucked among the pages.

As the notes continue to arrive, Constance finds herself quickly falling in love with a ghost and putting her real-life relationship in jeopardy. Will a bond based on letters impossibly sent from the past derail her future? Or will Constance discover her voice and risk everything for the chance to somehow connect with her true soul mate?"

Regards,

Kareni

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Kareni

Kareni

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I read and enjoyed Burning Bright (The Extraordinaries Book 1) by Melissa McShane; I'd describe it as a blend of magic and regency era romance mixed with naval battles. Extraordinaries are people who have an exceptional talent such as the ability to wield fire, fly, or make predictions; many in this world have small powers, but those of  the extraordinaries are extreme and relatively uncommon. Most individuals come into their powers at puberty, but the heroine of the story awakens in her early twenties to her bedroom on fire. ETA: The book is currently on sale for 99¢ for US Kindle readers.

"In 1812, Elinor Pembroke wakes to find her bedchamber in flames—and extinguishes them with a thought. As an Extraordinary, gifted with powerful magical talent, she is respected and feared, but her father intends to control her and her talent by forcing her to marry where he insists. Trapped between the choices of a loveless marriage or living penniless and dependent on her parents, Elinor takes a third path: she joins the Royal Navy. Assigned to serve under Captain Miles Ramsay aboard the frigate Athena, she turns her fiery talent on England’s enemies, vicious pirates preying on English ships in the Caribbean. At first feared by her shipmates, a growing number of victories make her truly part of Athena’s crew and bring her joy in her fire. But as her power grows and changes in unexpected ways, Elinor’s ability to control it is challenged. She may have the power to destroy her enemies utterly—but could it be at the cost of her own life?"

 (FIC 82, RR 33, NF 8, NS 20, GN 2, PIC 1//)

Regards,

Kareni

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KrissiK

KrissiK

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I finally finished the Tripoli pirates book by Brian Kilmeade. Loved it.  Picked up another one I think is going to be great. “A House in the Mountains: The Women Who Liberated Italy from Fascism” by Carolyn Moorhead.  It’s non-fiction. You don’t hear much about the resistance movement in Italy during WW2. Actually, I had never heard of it. I’ve done a lot of reading about the French Resistance and I read about the Dutch Resistance, but this is a new thing for me. It’s got a picture of 3 bad-a$$ looking women on the front, so I’m sure it’s going to be good.

 

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Kareni

Kareni

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Earlier this month, I read Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center. Today I learned that the author has a prequel story on her website recounting the first meeting of the main characters of that novel, so I read it. I liked it. 

The Guy at the Wedding by Katherine Center

 (FIC 82, RR 33, NF 8, NS 21, GN 2, PIC 1//)

Regards,

Kareni

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Laurel-in-CA

Laurel-in-CA

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This week I read the Riyria Revelations trilogy by Michael J. Sullivan, an author who started out self-publishing fantasy he wrote to help motivate his dyslexic daughter to read, then turned that into some pretty good swords & sorcery fantasy, with his next series picked up by regular publishers. Plenty of twists and turns of identity in these books (no spoilers!). 8-) Happpy my library has so many of these on Kindle.

Then got diverted into some space opera -- Renegade, the first of a series by Joel Shepherd, an Australian author. Pretty good plot and action, assorted mysterious aliens, plotting politicians and moral dilemmas. Not so great character development, but I'm going to give them a chance by getting the next book in the series.

My book club's next offering is a memoir by Michael J. Fox, No Time Like the Future. My mom dealt with Parkinsons, and one of the side effects is depression. I am looking forward to hearing about things from his point of view as another sufferer from that disease. This will be my 2nd audiobook (and I didn't much like the experience the first time), and I hope it will be an engaging reader!

As dh is job hunting again, I am having to limit my reads to the local library's online offerings. I am sure I will find something there, as my wish list online is quite long! Happy fall-is-coming reading! It's supposed to be 97deg today!!

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Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper

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Promoting for an editor-turned-author acquaintance of mine, I haven’t read it yet but it’s on sale for .99 cents for a couple of days:

Be Careful What You Witch for by Tee Harlow. 
 

@Kareni this seems like something you might enjoy! Also, I tried to post a link but the Amazon page I get to shows up with my personal info. If anyone wants to add a link, please be my guest. 

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4kidlets4me

4kidlets4me

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I have not been in the mood to read lately but I managed to finish Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff. I also watched the HBO series of the same name. This is one of the rare instances where the show was better than the book. In this case much, much better. The book was incredibly slow, disjointed and the ending was ridiculous. I gave the book 2 stars and would not go out of my way to read anything else by this author.

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